Today, on International We Are Not Broken Day, we shine a light on the courageous individuals who carry the weight of trauma and mental illness. But who are these individuals? They're not a distant, anonymous group. They're our friends, family, colleagues, even strangers we pass on the street. Perhaps it's the barista masking anxiety with a warm smile, the coworker battling PTSD in quiet isolation, or the neighbor whose seemingly exciting life hides the scars of unseen wounds. 🩹
The truth is, mental illness and trauma touch an alarming number of lives. Consider this, around 1 in 4 adults in the United States will experience mental illness in a given year. That's 26.2% of our population facing challenges like depression, anxiety, and PTSD. And 60% of people report experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Given the constant barrage of news about war, violence, and societal ills, it's no wonder many of us feel overwhelmed and distressed. 🆘
These statistics become personal stories when we look behind the numbers. I, for one, can speak from experience. As someone living with both PTSD and Complex PTSD, I understand the sting of societal labels and the isolating power of feeling "broken." My journey began in 2015, triggered by a year of devastating deaths and tragic back-to-back losses. The trauma manifested as severe PTSD, flashbacks, and nightmares, which later evolved into CPTSD due to ongoing challenges and more losses. For a while, I managed, but eventually, the weight became unbearable. Toxic environments and mistreatment exacerbated my condition, leading to a period of semi-nonverbalism which was terrifying. 🙀
It was in this darkness that I discovered the transformative power of art therapy. Through creating, I began to reclaim my voice and rebuild my shattered sense of self. After years of writer's block, words flowed freely again, fueling my creativity and I also began to facilitate a peer support group. This journey taught me a powerful lesson: healing is a marathon, not a sprint. It requires self-compassion, healthy coping mechanisms, and the profound understanding that we are not broken. 💔🚫
Symbols have always been important to me, and it is amazing how they can be beacons of hope on one's journey. The heart on fire ❤️🔥 emoji drives my passion and zest for life. The lotus flower 🪷 emoji reminds me to never, ever give up. And the mending heart ❤️🩹 emoji reminds me I am not broken, and became a symbol of my healing journey. It represents the incredible resilience of the human spirit, our capacity to heal and grow, even when faced with immense adversity. Just like the lotus flower, we can rise above the challenges and emerge stronger and more beautiful than ever before. 🙌
But healing isn't solely an individual journey. We need each other. Here are 5 ways to honor International We Are Not Broken Day and be a force for positive change:
- Educate yourself - Learn about trauma, mental illness, and the challenges faced by survivors. Empathy starts with understanding.
- Challenge the stigma - Speak out against harmful stereotypes and advocate for inclusive language and representation. Let's dismantle the barriers that prevent people from seeking help.
- Practice self-compassion - We all have battles to fight. Be kind to yourself and others, especially those struggling with invisible wounds.
- Connect and support - Reach out to loved ones who may be struggling. Offer a listening ear, share resources, and let them know they're not alone. Your presence can make a world of difference.
- Celebrate resilience - Share stories of hope and recovery. Show the world the strength and beauty that lie within those who have overcome hardship. Let's redefine what it means to be "broken" and celebrate the unbreakable spirit that lives within each of us.
Finally, let's talk about the elephant in the room - suicide. It drives me mad to hear people say they didn't see the signs when someone reaches out for help and is met with silence. This silence is deadly. Suicide is a public health crisis, and we can not afford to stay silent. We all need to educate ourselves about suicide prevention, learn how to support those struggling, and create a world where everyone feels safe to reach out and get the help they need. Often someone just needs to be shown that someone cares and will listen. 👂
Reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out for help. There are resources available, and you don't have to go through this alone. 🫱🫲
As we celebrate International We Are Not Broken Day, let's embrace our mending hearts, celebrate our resilience, and commit to building a world where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported. We can break the silence, shatter stigmas, and create a brighter future for ourselves and each other. ⛓️💥
This is a hard topic to discuss, but if we do not learn how to get comfortable talking about it, we are not going to beat it. So, embrace your mending heart, it is beautiful. Talk abotu the hard stuff. It is life in all it's imperfection. 🌹
Healing is possible. And so is living a beautiful, happy life. Never forget that we are not broken. You are not broken. We are healing. We are whole. ❤️🩹
Yours in wholeness,
Chief Moji Muser and EmojiIRL™ Creator
#emojiexpression #emojiIRL #getyourmojion #yourmatter #writeyourownstory
☮️🖖❤️😊
Additional resources:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
- Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
- You Matter Stickers
- CPTSD Foundation
- National Center for PTSD
- International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
- The Jed Foundation
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center
- National Alliance on Mental Illness
- MentalHealth.gov
** Call 911, go to the nearest emergency room or call your treating physician or doctor if you need immediate help. **
Creative expression has the power to keep you grounded in your journey. It is a powertool in your toolbox. In Suicide Awareness Month, let us reach out our hands to support one another and strengthen a world where every person's voice is heard, and every single life is valued. You Matter. 💗
